Brad Schreiber: Best of Palm Springs Short Film Fest '09

The 2009 version of the Palm Springs International ShortFest and Short Film Market is concluded and, as the largest festival of its kind in North America, press more easily can navigate the 315 films via not only the programs at the Camelot Theatre multiplex but their film library, abuzz each day with buyers, filmmakers and press. Our Neck of the Woods Over the past 14 years, 84 films screened here have gone on to garner Academy Award consideration. Among the most notable films: Sparks (USA, dir. Joseph Gordon-Levitt) The Shooting Stars section of the Fest has radically improved, as evidenced by Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut. His editing as well of this Elmore Leonard adaptation is snappy and vibrant, as fire investigator Eric Stoltz thinks sexy rock star Carla Gugino purposely burned her house down in the middle of a larger fire, and he thinks he's going to get a confession while drinking excessively with her. Gordon-Levitt (TV's Third Rock from the Sun ) sure learned a lot ... (link)